U.S. patent number 4,034,210 [Application Number 05/615,112] was granted by the patent office on 1977-07-05 for credit card carriers and methods of manufacture.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dynetics Engineering Corporation. Invention is credited to Baesley I. Dahlstrom, Robert D. Fisher, James E. Hill.
United States Patent |
4,034,210 |
Hill , et al. |
July 5, 1977 |
**Please see images for:
( Reexamination Certificate ) ** |
Credit card carriers and methods of manufacture
Abstract
Single-sheet, multi-panel carriers for receiving and retaining
credit cards during credit card issue and mailing procedures. Cards
may be inserted in the carriers manually or by machine. Plural
carrier forms are preferably provided in a continuous fan-folded
web, and individual carriers are separable therefrom at
perforations between subsequent and/or adjacent carriers. The
carriers have special slits or slots for retaining one to four
cards singly, or double that in a piggy-back manner, in vertical or
horizontal configurations. Carriers also have a plurality of panels
which assist in retaining the cards by wedge trapping during manual
or machine issue processing (inserting, collating, verification and
stuffing) and mailing operations. Carriers also carry verification
and/or identification information thereon relating to the account,
e.g., name, number of cards, account(s) number(s), credit limit,
address, debit usage criteria, and the like, in one or more forms
which may be read visually, electro-optically, mechanically,
optically, electromechanically, magnetically and/or electronically.
Carriers are specially adapted for production by sheet-fed glued,
or roll-to-fold, high-speed web printing procedures. Imprinting of
verification and/or identification indicia may be done by any
impact or non-impact procedures, e.g., by drum, line, or
computer-controlled, non-impact, spray-type printers.
Inventors: |
Hill; James E. (Prospect
Heights, IL), Dahlstrom; Baesley I. (Des Plaines, IL),
Fisher; Robert D. (Melrose Park, IL) |
Assignee: |
Dynetics Engineering
Corporation (Wheeling, IL)
|
Family
ID: |
24464028 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/615,112 |
Filed: |
September 19, 1975 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
235/487;
229/92.1; 229/92.8; 53/284.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H
5/28 (20130101); G06K 19/00 (20130101); B65H
2701/1912 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06K
19/00 (20060101); G06K 19/00 (20060101); B65H
5/28 (20060101); B65H 5/28 (20060101); G06K
019/00 (); B65B 005/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;235/61.12R,61.12M,61.12N ;229/68R,70,75 ;283/57,58,59,66R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Cook; Daryl W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dulin; Jacques M.
Claims
We claim:
1. Improved credit card carriers comprising:
(a) a web of sheet material having a pair of substantially parallel
side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge;
(b) a plurality of foldable panels defined by fold lines disposed
medially of, and substantially parallel to, said top and said
bottom edges;
(c) a plurality of means for receivingly engaging credit cards
disposed in at least one of said panels;
(d) said panels being adapted to wedge trap said cards when folded
with said cards disposed between said panels.
2. Carrier as in claim 1 wherein said panels are three in
number.
3. Carrier as in claim 1 wherein said engaging means is selected
from slits and slots.
4. Carrier as in claim 3 having a plurality of engaging means each
of which is capable of retaining at least one card.
5. Carrier as in claim 4 wherein each of said engaging means is a
slit, each slit being adapted to retain at least one card.
6. Carrier as in claim 5 wherein said slits are generally
characterizable as selected from a straight slit, V-shape, an
A-shape, an m-shape, a w-shape, a U-shape and an inverted
U-shape.
7. Carrier as in claim 6 wherein all of said slits are disposed in
a first panel defined between a bottom edge and a first fold
line.
8. Carrier as in claim 7 wherein said slits are V-shaped.
9. Carrier as in claim 8 wherein said V-shaped slit is oriented
with the tip of the V closest to said top or bottom edge.
10. Carrier as in claim 9 wherein the width of said carrier, from
side margin to side margin, is sized to fit a standard mailing
envelope.
11. Carrier as in claim 10 wherein one of said panels has disposed
thereon address-indicating indicia disposed to be revealed through
a window in said envelope when said carrier is folded and inserted
in said envelope.
12. Carrier as in claim 10 wherein said envelope is selected from a
standard No. 9 or No. 10 envelope.
13. Carrier as in claim 12 wherein one of said panels has disposed
thereon account cardholder account-type indicia disposed to be
revealable through a window in said envelope.
14. Carrier as in claim 13 wherein said envelope has a plurality of
windows, adapted to reveal information on said carrier selected
from said address, and one said account information, and a
registered mail number.
15. Carrier as in claim 10 wherein one of said panels has disposed
therein a wallet-type information card defined by perforations in
said panel and removable from said panel.
16. Carrier as in claim 15 wherein the other two of said three
panels are a second end panel defined between a top edge and a
second fold line and a medial panel defined between said fold
lines, and at least one of said second end panels and said medial
panels contains said wallet card.
17. Carrier as in claim 1 which includes a line of punch holes
adjacent at least one of said edges adapted to engage a pin-type
drive mechanism for advancing said carrier through operations of
its manufacture, printing or handling.
18. Carrier as in claim 17 having a line of said punch holes
adjacent each of a pair of opposed parallel edges, and said pairs
of edges are selected from side edges, and said top and bottom
edge.
19. Carrier as in claim 17 wherein said line of punch holes is
disposed between said edge and a line of perforations located
medially of said edge to define a removable drive strip.
20. Carrier as in claim 18 wherein each of said line of punch holes
is disposed between said edge and a line of perforations located
medially of said edge to define a removable drive strip.
21. Carrier as in claim 1 which includes readable information means
disposed on at least one of said panels, and said information may
be selected from one or more of
(a) cardholder identifying information;
(b) issuer information; and
(c) machine instruction information.
22. Carrier as in claim 21 wherein said information means is
disposed adjacent one of said edges or said fold lines.
23. Carrier as in claim 21 wherein said information means is
selected from means readable by visual, mechanical,
electromechanical, optical, electronic, electric, magnetic, and
electro-optical means.
24. Carrier as in claim 23 wherein said;
(a) cardholder identifying information is selected from information
relating to:
(i) a cardholder account,
(ii) a cardholder identification number, and
(iii) a card number;
b. said issuer information is selected from information relating
to:
(i) an issue,
(ii) a batch,
(iii) a sequence or position in a sequence,
(iv) the number of cards issued to a cardholder,
(v) issuer identification,
(vi) a cardholder address,
(vii) credit, and
(viii) usage restrictions;
(c) said machine instruction information is selected from
information relating to:
(i) the number of cards to be inserted in said carrier,
(ii) pulling a card, a carrier, an account or an envelope,
(iii) initiating or stopping an operation, and
(iv) identification of a carrier or a card.
25. Carrier as in claim 23 wherein said information means is
selected from a magnetic stripe, a bar code, machine readable font,
embossing, punched holes, and indicia of differing colors.
26. Carrier as in claim 25 wherein said information means is a bar
code in binary code digit form.
27. Carrier as in claim 26 wherein said binary bar code is disposed
on said panel so that it is readable when the carrier is in the
folded condition.
28. Carrier as in claim 27 wherein said binary bar code is disposed
on said panel so that it is readable through a window disposed in
an envelope juxtaposed to reveal said bar code therethrough.
29. Carrier and envelope assembly comprising:
(a) a carrier as in claim 28, and
(b) an envelope having a window disposed in juxtaposition with said
bar code so that said code is readable therethrough.
30. Carrier as in claim 27 in which said bar code is selected from
magnetic ink, opaque ink, and transparent fluorescent ink.
31. Carrier as in claim 30 wherein said bar code is transparent
fluorescent ink, said carrier includes cardholder address indicia,
and said bar code is printed in association with said address
indicia.
32. Carrier as in claim 27 wherein said binary bar code comprises a
plurality of digit lines selected from a ones line, a twos line, a
fours line and an eights line, said lines being disposed in one to
four rows.
33. Carrier as in claim 3 wherein said binary bar code lines are
disposed spaced apart along from one to three lines, and are
simultaneously or sequentially readable by relative motion of said
carrier with respect to a scanning means.
34. Carrier as in claim 33 wherein said bar code is I-bar code.
35. Carrier as in claim 34 in which binary 11, 12 12 and 13 in said
I-bar code represents the number of cards.
36. Carrier as in claim 35 in which binary 14 in said I-bar code
represents a space.
37. Carrier as in claim 34 in which binary 10 in said I-bar code
represents a zero
38. Carrier as in claim 34 in which binary 15 in said I-bar code
represents an end signature.
39. Carrier as in claim 34 in which binary 10 represents a zero,
binary 11, 12 and 13 represents the number of cards, binary 14
represents a space, and binary 15 represents an end signature, in
said I-bar code.
40. Carrier as in claim 39 in which said bar code is selected from
magnetic ink, opaque ink, and the transparent fluorescent ink.
41. Carrier as in claim 34 wherein said:
(a) cardholder identifying information is selected from information
relating to:
(i) a cardholder account,
(ii) a cardholder identification number, and
(iii) a card number;
b. said issuer information is selected from information relating
to:
(i) an issue,
(ii) a batch,
(iii) a sequence or position in a sequence,
(iv) the number of cards issued to a cardholder,
(v) issuer identification,
(vi) a cardholder address,
(vii) credit, and
(viii) usage restrictions;
(c) said machine instruction information is selected from
information relating to:
(i) the number of cards to be inserted in said carrier,
(ii) pulling a card, carrier, an account or an envelope,
(iii) initiating or stopping an operation, and
(iv) identification of a carrier or a card.
42. Carrier as in claim 32 wherein said binary bar code lines are
disposed in four rows aligned one above the other so that they are
simultaneously or sequentially readable by relative motion of said
carrier with respect to a scanning means.
43. Carrier as in claim 42 wherein said bar code is I-bar code.
44. Carrier as in claim 43 in which binary 11, 12 and 13 in said
I-bar code represents the number of cards.
45. Carrier as in claim 44 in which binary 14 in said I-bar code
represents a space.
46. Carrier as in claim 43 in which binary 10 in said I-bar code
represents a zero.
47. Carrier as in claim 43 in which binary 15 in said I-bar code
represents an end signature.
48. Carrier as in claim 43 wherein said:
(a) cardholder identifying information is selected from information
relating to:
(i) a cardholder account,
(ii) a cardholder identification number, and
(iii) a card number;
(b) said issuer information is selected from information relating
to:
(i) an issue,
(ii) a batch,
(iii) a sequence or position in a sequence,
(iv) the number of cards issued to a cardholder,
(v) issuer identification,
(vi) a cardholder address,
(vii) credit, and
(viii) usage restrictions;
(c) said machine instruction information is selected from
information relating to:
(i) the number of cards to be inserted in said carrier,
(ii) pulling a card, carrier, an account or an envelope,
(iii) initiating or stopping an operation, and
(iv) identification of a carrier or a card.
49. Carrier as in claim 43 in which binary 10 represents a zero,
binary 11, 12, and 13 represents the number of cards, binary 14
represents a space, and binary 15 represents an end signature, in
said I-bar code.
50. Carrier as in claim 49 in which said bar code is selected from
magnetic ink, opaque ink, and transparent fluorescent ink.
51. Carrier as in claim 1 which includes means for securing said
panels together so that said carrier may be mailed.
52. Carrier as in claim 51 wherein said carrier includes a front
side and a back side, said cards are inserted in said receiving
means from said front side, and adhesive is disposed adjacent each
of said side edges and a top or bottom edge so that when folded
said panels are secured for mailing.
53. Carrier as in claim 51 wherein said securing means includes a
staple adjacent each of said side margins.
54. Carrier as in claim 53 wherein said securing means includes
adhesive disposed on one of said panels medially of said side edges
so that when folded the outermost of said panels will be medially
sealed to another panel.
55. Improved credit card carriers comprising,
(a) at least one layer of sheet material,
(b) means for retaining a credit card in engagement with said
sheet,
(c) information means, selected from mechanical, electromechanical,
optical, electronically, electrically, magnetically and
electro-optically readable means disposed on said sheet, and
(d) said information means may be selected from one or more of:
(i) cardholder identifying information;
(ii) issuer information; and
(iii) machine instruction information.
56. Carrier as in claim 55 wherein said information means is
selected from a magnetic stripe, a bar code, machine readable font,
embossing, punched holes, and indicia of differing colors.
57. Carrier as in claim 56 wherein said information means is a bar
code in binary code digit form.
58. Carrier as in claim 57 wherein said binary bar code is disposed
on said panel so that it is readable when the carrier is in the
folded condition.
59. Carrier as in claim 58 wherein said binary bar code comprises a
plurality of digit lines selected from a ones line, a twos line, a
fours line and an eights line, said lines being disposed in one to
four rows.
60. Carrier as in claim 59 wherein said bar code is I-bar code.
61. Carrier as in claim 60 in which binary 10 represents a zero,
binary 11, 12, and 13 represents the number of cards, binary 14
represents a space, and binary 15 represents an end signature, in
said I-bar code.
62. Carrier as in claim 55 wherein said:
(a) cardholder identifying information is selected from information
relating to:
(i) a cardholder account,
(ii) a cardholder identification number, and
(iii) a card number;
(b) said issuer information is selected from information relating
to:
(i) an issue,
(ii) a batch,
(iii) a sequence or position in a sequence,
(iv) the number of cards issued to a cardholder,
(v) issuer identification,
(vi) a cardholder address,
(vii) credit, and
(viii) usage restrictions;
(c) said machine instruction information is selected from
information relating to:
(i) the number of cards to be inserted in said carrier,
(ii) pulling a card, a carrier, an account or an envelope,
(iii) initiating or stopping an operation, and
(iv) identification of a carrier or a card.
63. Method of producing carriers adapted for automated verification
and insertion of credit cards therein comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a sheet of material;
(b) forming an area in said sheet defining an individual carrier
form adapted to receive at least one of said credit cards,
(c) placing information on individual ones of said carrier forms
unique to individual cardholder accounts,
(d) said placed information being disposed on said carrier forms so
that said information is readable by mechanical reading means to
provide information for said automated verification and insertion
of credit cards in said carriers.
64. Method as in claim 63 wherein said sheet material is a
continuous web, and said forming step includes forming separable
areas in said web defining individual ones of said carrier
forms.
65. Method as in claim 63 wherein said step of placing is selected
from printing, embossing, punching, encoding, and affixing labels
containing said information.
Description
FIELD
This invention relates to special preprinted "credit"-type card
carrier forms, apparatus for automated insertion, folding, pulling
and stuffing, and methods of production and manual or automated use
thereof. More particularly, this invention relates to single-sheet,
multiple-flap credit card carriers having slits or slots in one or
more panels for receiving and retaining by wedge trapping credit
cards during manual or automated procedures of issue and mailing of
the cards to card users. Special information is provided on the
carrier to insure that the appropriate number of correctly matched
cards are inserted in their appropriate carrier, and for manual or
automated "pulls" after insertion.
BACKGROUND
In the United States there were about 500 million credit cards in
circulation in 1974, and an additional 200 million were issued that
year on new accounts or to cover maintenance (renewal). These
numbers do not include the emerging debit card field (for bank or
S&L account access), nor the ID and security card fields.
Such cards (called herein "credit cards" for simplicity) being
equivalent to or providing access to money, property or credit,
must be handled with accuracy under stringent security during issue
of the cards, i.e., manufacturing, preparing for distribution, and
actual distribution (e.g., by mailing) to the cardholder-customer.
The correct number of cards must be correctly embossed and/or
encoded with the cardholder's account number and other data. The
embossed cards must be protected from theft until they are in the
hands of the cardholders.
The preparation for distribution of the cards must likewise be done
accurately under stringent security precautions. The cards are
normally placed in what is called a carrier and mailed (first-class
registered or certified mail) to the cardholders. Advance notice
and/or follow-up verification mailings may also be used to help
insure against theft or notify promptly of non-receipt by the
addressee-card user.
It is an extremely serious matter when the wrong cardholder
receives the wrong card or wrong number of cards. If a cardholder
is supposed to get two or three cards and receives only one, or if
a cardholder receives a card of another account, there is a chance
for theft of goods by credit cards. The average loss is in the
four-figure range with highest losses in five figures. The matter
is even more serious in the case of debit cards. Such cards give
access to a person's checking and/or savings account. Cards going
to the wrong person creates a theft potential. This highlights the
need for carrier forms and manual or machine methods of accurate
inserting and preparation for distribution.
Currently, carriers for cards are typically heavy paper stock
having two or four straight, diagonally oriented, separated slits
to hold two or four corners of the cards. Most cardholding carriers
are single sheets of card stock slightly smaller than number 9 or
10 envelope size so that they can be inserted in a mailing
envelope. Pocket-type carriers are made of two sheets of paper
glued or secured together to provide a pocket therebetween. A slit
in the upper sheet for access to the pocket may be provided, or
access may be at the sheet edges. Other currently used carriers may
be single sheets having a single fold to provide two flaps of
slightly smaller than envelope size; these are commonly used in
carriers having two diagonal slits in one of the flaps. A few
current carriers have a second fold to provide a third flap, and
some of these have no slits for retaining the cards. Some carriers
(no longer in extensive use) employed pressure-sensitive glue or
tape to secure the cards thereto.
Typically, currently available carriers have space for two cards
oriented horizontally, that is, with the long axis of the card
oriented parallel to the printing and/or long axis of the carrier
(as folded for mailing). Simple, single-flap carriers are
relatively inexpensive, running around $10-30/thousand, while the
multi-layer, pocket-type carriers are very expensive, running
$35-80/thousand.
Most cards are inserted manually in the two-slit, no-slit or pocket
carriers. There are two basic approaches. In one, the person
inserting the card has a stack of precut, single-sheet carriers
having no account information thereon, and a stack of presequenced
cards. They also have a stack of separate sheets of thin paper
which are presequenced mailers with address and account
information. The inserter compares the account number on the card
to that on the separate mailer. The cards are inserted by hand into
the slits or pockets of the carrier, assembled with the mailer, and
then placed in envelopes. The second approach involves having
account information typed onto the individual carriers which are
presequenced and assembled with presequenced cards. A top-rated
inserter is capable of inserting 1,500 accounts in an 8-hour day
with an average of 1.7 cards per account. The average acceptable
rate is generally 1,000 accounts per day, and low is 750/day.
Correct presequencing of the cards and carriers or inserts is
critical to any reasonable rate of manual insertion and to reducing
the frequency of mismatch errors. Further, such manual insertion
rates require many workers in order to keep up with the rate of
production of credit or debit cards. For example, automated
embossing machines have a current card embossing rate ranging from
350 to 1,500 cards/hour. The rates are the same for encoding cards
bearing magnetic stripes.
We believe there is a machine available that can insert a card in a
four-slit carrier by flexing the card along both its major and
minor axis so the four corners can be popped into four respective
corner slits. Another machine is capable of putting a dab of glue
on the carrier and depositing the card thereon. However, neither
machine matches the cards and carriers, so mismatch errors will
occur unless exact sequencing is maintained. In automated equipment
of this non-verifying type, once a sequence error occurs, all
subsequent insertions will continue to be mismatched.
Current hand and machine inserting depends on the accurate
presequencing of the cards and mailers or carriers. Further, where
cardholders are to receive three cards, a second carrier must be
used or the cards must be piggy-backed. Carriers have positions for
either one or two cards held in horizontal orientation. For issues
having more than two cards, the cards are stacked or placed
piggy-back in one or both positions. Generally, no more than two
cards are piggy-backed in any one position allowing a maximum of
four cards in a two-position carrier.
The current carriers render methods of inserting relatively slow
and prone to errors. They are not particularly adaptable to both
hand and machine inserting, folding and stuffing, and normally
require separate address inserts. There is thus a need for improved
credit card carriers that are simple, rapid and inexpensive to
manufacture, to preprint with account and verification information,
and which are useful for manual or machine inserting. The instant
carrier satisfies those needs and is particularly adapted to
automated mechanical verification and insertion of credit cards in
the apparatus and method shown and described herein.
THE INVENTION
OBJECTS
It is among the objects of this invention to provide simple,
inexpensive carriers for embossed, printed, punched or encoded
cards, e.g., bank, credit, debit, identification, security cards
and the like, which carriers are adapted for either manual or
automated insertion of such cards.
It is another object of this invention to provide carriers which
are adapted to carry verification and/or identification information
thereon which can be visually, mechanically, optically,
electromechanically, magnetically or electronically read
therefrom.
It is another object of this invention to provide automated
apparatus and method for verification of cards and carriers,
insertion of cards in carriers, folding inserted carriers, pulling
bad accounts, and stuffing of completed carriers in mailing
envelopes.
It is another object to provide a method of manufacture and use of
specially designed card carriers, particularly in the automated
verification and insertion apparatus of this invention, which
carriers carry information used in verification and insertion of
credit cards in the carriers, and for pulling of bad accounts just
prior to mailing.
It is another object to provide special carriers that can hold one
to four cards singly (or twice that in double or piggy-back modes)
in vertical or horizontal configurations by means of a single slit,
and which carriers have multiple panels of proper dimension to
frictionally wedge-grip the card edges thereby securely retaining
the cards in the carriers.
It is another object to provide a special continuous web, or
plurality of webs of carriers, which may have one or more set of
apertures adapted for cooperating with pin-drive type advancing or
indexing mechanisms, which apertures may be in the carrier body or
in removable marginal strips.
It is another object to provide special card carriers having folds
designed to securely wedge-trap the card along two opposed edges to
prevent cocking of the cards or tearing of the slits in use.
It is another object to provide special card carriers on which
account and/or card verification and/or identification information
may be printed by conventional line or drum printers in a single or
double-up roll or fan-fold configuration.
It is another object to provide special carriers having account
address information thereon which may be manually or mechanically
stuffed in envelopes without need for separate mailing inserts.
It is another object to provide apparatus for verification of the
number of cards in a carrier after being sealed in an envelope and
rejecting those having an incorrect number of cards, and for
pulling bad accounts after sealing and before mailing.
It is another object to provide special card carriers which have as
a separable part thereof wallet-sized ID, account information or
loss notice cards.
It is another object to provide special single-sheet card carriers
that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture in a sheet-fed glued
or continuous roll-to-fold manner by printing, perforating,
slitting or boning and punching operations on web stock by
conventional apparatus.
Still further and other objects of the invention will be evident
from the description which follows.
FIGURES
The description which follows will have reference to the drawings
in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front side of a two-wide carrier web
as printed by a line printer, also showing separation into an "L"
and a "R" stream for fan-folding and removal of the sprocket drive
marginal portions;
FIG. 2 is a plan view, partly in section of one embodiment of a
special carrier of this invention having cards inserted therein,
and showing the location and arrangement of one embodiment of a
machine-scannable code on the carrier which provides information on
the account and number of cards;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a 1-up web of carriers adapted for
printing by a drum printer, and having various optional types of
card slits or slots in the A panel and an optional tab on the C
panel;
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of another carrier embodiment
showing an alternate positioning of the machine-readable carrier
code, and A panel slits for receiving four retail-type cards in a
vertical orientation;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of another carrier embodiment
showing a single line code arrangement, and slits in the A panel
for receiving single or piggy-back cards in a horizontal
(transverse) orientation;
FIG. 6 is a highly simplified, partly schematic overview of an
apparatus and method for mechanical insertion and folding of cards
in the special carriers of this invention;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of another carrier embodiment having tear-out
wallet cards for individual cardholders of the same group;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the preferred carrier embodiment of this
invention showing the critical location, spacing and dimensions for
3-panel carriers having three pockets for standard credit-sized
cards;
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the method of producing carriers
in accord with the invention.
SUMMARY
The invention includes continuous and single-sheet,
plural-cardholding, multi-panel (or flap) credit card carriers,
their method of manufacture and use, and apparatus and method for
verification and insertion of cards in the carrier. The carriers
are used for retaining the cards during certain credit card issue
procedures, including mailing to the cardholders. A first marginal
panel, the A panel, contains from one to four specially designed
slits for receiving the cards by manual or automated insertion, in
vertical (preferred) or horizontal orientation. The cards may be
inserted sequentially or simultaneously, singly or piggy-backed
(two or more in a single slit). The A panel cooperates upon folding
along internal perf lines with a central B panel and a second
marginal panel, the C panel, to retain the cards by wedge trapping
without loss or misalignment (cocking) during handling and
mailing.
The A panel contains special positions thereon for receiving and
carrying information relating to the account which may be read
visually by manual inserters or by checker-operators, or may be
read automatically by mechanical, optical, electromechanical,
electro-optical, magnetic and/or electronic scanner means to
provide information during automated insertion or thereafter, e.g.,
stuffing or pulling operations. Typically, the information is in
the form of alphabetic, numeric or optical characters (e.g., I-bar
code) or mag stripes and contains information about the account,
the card issue, number of cards to be placed in the particular
carrier, and the like. Account indicia, for example, may be numeric
and positioned adjacent to an internal perforation (carrier form
fold line) so that account numbers may be presented for visual
scanning when the carriers are completely inserted, folded and
stacked ready for insertion into mailing envelopes.
The C panel contains special positions thereon for receiving and
carrying other account information that may be in any of the modes
described above for the A panel. Typically, the information is in
the form of alphabetic and numeric indicia, for example, name and
address of cardholder, account number, number of cards, credit
limit and the like. The address indicia is specially positioned for
juxtaposition with a window in standard or special window-type
mailing envelopes.
The carriers may be printed with informational, instructional,
contractual or advertising information on one or both sides. The
completed carrier, in the folded form with cards inserted, is
slightly smaller than standard "long" mailing envelopes, i.e. 31/2"
wide.times. 8.4" long (8.89 cm.times. 21.34 cm) and is adapted for
manual or automated stuffing into such mailing envelopes. In one
embodiment, the B panel is perforated to provide from one to four
wallet-sized or postal-sized cards. Special information for the
cardholder may be printed in special areas of the cards, for
example, all the information required for loss notification.
The carriers are produced by a multi-step process, broadly broken
down in two stages: Stage 1 is production of blank carriers or
carrier webs in continuous form or single sheets. Stage 2 involves
printing of the individual issue and account information by data
processing equipment to ready the carriers for card insertion,
folding, pulling and stuffing into mailing envelopes.
Typically in Stage 1, suitable sheet material, such as paper of
weight ranging from 15-45 lbs and gauge of 0.002"to 0.010", inches,
is provided in predetermined widths to produce one- or two-wide
carrier forms. Producing continuous forms from a web roll of paper
stock is preferred, but single sheet printing may be employed. The
sheet material or web is printed in any suitable manner, preferably
by conventional lithographing techniques, with preselected indicia
of an instructional, informational, contractual and/or advertising
nature on one side (preferred) or both sides in single or multiple
colors. Selected areas of a first, face side of the form remain
unprinted to receive thereon special information provided at a
later step. The web advances to perforating stations where the web
is perforated parallel to the web travel with perforation wheels,
and across (transverse) to the sheets or web travel by cylinder or
drum perforating knives. Special slots are also cut through the web
or sheets to receive credit cards.
The perforations provided are of two types: The first is called the
"internal perf" (internal with respect to the carrier). Two
internal perfs are provided in each form to define therein the
three carrier panels. The carrier panels may be folded along these
perfs. The second is called the burst or fold perf. This
perforation permits fan folding of the web of forms and separation
of individual carriers from the web or sheets, or sets of two-wide
carrier forms into two separate single ones or trains of
carriers.
The web or sheets optionally may also be perforated along a line or
lines spaced from one or more margins to provide a strip which is
punched with holes adapted to receive web or carrier advancing
means, such as a tractor, sprocket or pin drive mechanism. These
perfs are of a type which permits the strip to be removable prior
to stuffing the carrier into mailing envelopes. These drive
strip-defining perfs may be omitted with the drive holes remaining
in the finished carrier. Drive holes may be omitted where the
carrier is to be manually inserted and stuffed with a mailer piece.
The pin drive holes may be punched into the marginal edges of the
carrier forms without marginal perf lines defining a removable
drive strip.
The carriers may be fan folded along the second perf lines (called
burst/fold lines) and boxed for shipment to data processing centers
of the card issuer or service organization. Alternately the carrier
web or sheets may be fed directly to the Stage 2 imprinting
operations.
Alternate manners of handling the web or sheets are contemplated,
such as bursting and stacking individual carrier forms for use,
particularly manual insertion, or forming a roll of the completed
carrier web. Individual sheets may be glued end to end to provide a
roll or fan fold of carriers. Where the web or sheets are produced
two-wide, a center perf parallel to the outer margins defining
therebetween the two carriers may be boned, slit or burst to form
two sets, streams or trains of one-wide carrier forms, and these
streams interleaved (fan-folded together), stacked, or rolled up
together.
Stage 2 imprinting involves applying individual account information
to the front and/or back face of the individual carrier forms,
typically by data processing equipment such as impact (line or
drum) or non-impact printers. Such printers may be computer
controlled and apply preselected information about the accounts to
individual carrier forms in the proper sequence. These printers may
also apply machine-readable code, such as I-bar code, variable
space or variable width bar code, and the like to preselected
portions of the carriers. These codes are positioned on the
carriers to cooperate with read heads in automatic card inserting
machines and to supply instructional (command) or verification
information to such machines.
In one embodiment, a special I-bar binary code presents information
which identifies the number of cards to be inserted in the carrier,
the card issue (run number), the issuer number, cardholder account
number, spaces, and an end signature instruction. This carrier
information is compared by the machine with information on the
cards, and command logic initiates mechanical insertion of the
appropriate number of correctly matched cards in their appropriate
carrier.
Prior, intermediate or subsequent steps, as required, of separating
individual carriers from the web or sheets, stripping, cutting or
boning pin drive margins from the carriers, and folding carrier
panels are done manually or by automation. The code information
also permits last minute automated pulling of bad accounts after
insertion and just before stuffing by permitting in-line or stack
scanning of completed inserted/folded carriers to produce an
up-dated issue. The up-dated issue of completed/folded carriers is
then stuffed into window-type mailing envelopes with the address
indicia oriented for visual reading.
The instant verification and insertion system (VIS) apparatus and
method involves: sensing information in or on cards (embossed,
magnetic strips, printed, punched, inlaid, permanent magnetic code
embedded cards, and the like); feeding continuous carriers or
single-sheet carriers into the VIS apparatus; in the case of
continuous carriers, separating individual carriers from the web;
sensing information carried on the instant carriers; comparing the
information on the cards and carriers; automatically inserting the
appropriate number of correctly matched cards in the appropriate
carrier; and folding the carrier in a form ready for automated
stuffing into mailing envelopes; pulling bad accounts after
folding; and stuffing in mailing envelopes. Reject, pause and
search modes of operation are provided.
Any mode of printing or applying the preselected information in
Stages 1 and/or 2 may be employed. For example, non-impact
printers, with or without computer control, of spray or other type
operation may be advantageously employed in Stage 2. The
information may be in any "language", such as standard letters or
characters, or optically readable special font, such as 7B font, or
OCR 1428 (IBM), or may be electronically encoded in a magnetic
stripe of material (e.g., iron oxide, chromium oxide or the like)
applied to the carrier or carrier web in a preselected position.
The information may be in the form of punched apertures (Hollerith)
in one or more carrier flaps, or embossings in the carrier sheet
material.
It should be understood that throughout, credit card is a shorthand
reference to any type of card susceptible of being or requiring
transporting or handling by a carrier, and includes by way of
example credit cards, bank cards, debit cards, retail cards,
identification cards, account cards, security cards, pass cards,
key cards, photo ID cards, charge cards and the like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description is by way of illustration and
not by way of limitation of the principles of the instant
invention. In many of the drawings herein single figures are used
to illustrate multiple embodiments for conciseness and not as
limiting the invention. While continuous forms, strips or webs are
discussed in most detail herein, it should be understood that the
principles of the invention apply to single sheet forms and their
manner of use.
In FIG. 1 a two-wide (or two-up) carrier form set 1 is shown, face
or front side up. This form set comprises an L stream and an R
stream (for Left and Right streams, respectively), so designated at
the top of the form set. These two streams are defined on either
side of a central (longitudinal) line of perforations 2. The forms
or streams preferably have removable marginal strips 3 and 4, but
they are not required as illustrated by carriers I and II (FIG. 1).
Carriers III and IV (FIG. 1) are shown as having marginal strips
(also called drive strips) which are defined between side edges 5
and 6, respectively, and lines of perforations 7 and 8 spaced
inwardly therefrom (with respect to the edges). These marginal
strips may contain any convenient type of apertures 9 which are
adapted to be engaged by driving or guiding mechanisms during
production or use of the carrier forms, e.g., by pin drives,
tractor drives, pin chains, pin belts, indexing mechanisms, pin
guides and the like. As shown in carrier forms II of FIG. 1 and III
of FIG. 3, the drive, indexing or guide apertures 9' are spaced
inwardly of the carrier margins 2, 12, 7 and 8, respectively. The
drive strips 3, 4 are left on, or optionally may be separated from
the form edges 11 and 12 as shown at 13. The form sets are
separated as at 10 along the central perf line 2, e.g., by slitting
or boning with one or more rotary or fixed knife cutters, into
continuous single (or one-up) carrier form streams L and R.
Four complete, individual carriers (carrier forms) are shown in
FIG. 1, being numbered I, II, III and IV, as shown. This numbering
reflects the sequence of separation (bursting) of individual forms
from the two-wide sets stream 1 during decollating, folding and
insertion in the automated verification and insertion system device
(VIS). The form sets of FIG. 1 are fed face down as interleaved
streams L and R into the VIS; hence the left carrier is separated
first.
FIG. 1 also illustrates several alternate embodiments, the first of
which comprises a form set of two individual carriers I and II
separated by perf line 2 but having narrower marginal edges 11 and
12 and no marginal drive strip. In a typical two-wide stream, the
carriers would be alike, but are shown different for purposes of
illustrative conciseness. Carrier I has no drive or indexing holes,
while carrier II shows drive holes 9' adjacent the margins. The
carrier I embodiment is particularly useful for manual insertion of
carrier forms, and for automated folding and/or insertion processes
not requiring sprocket or pin drives, indexing mechanisms, or
guides and the like. For example, automated devices can employ
pinch rollers or belts for movement of the carriers which do not
require the marginal strip. The carrier II embodiment is useful
where there is no objection to cardholders receiving carriers with
holes. While the carrier II embodiment is shown narrower than
carrier III or IV, it should be understood that by omitting perf
lines 7 and 8, a wider form of carrier II is produced. The perf
lines 7 and 8 are not absolutely required, as slitters or cutters
can strip off a marginal strip from carriers III and IV without aid
of those perf lines 7 and 8.
Still another alternate embodiment is illustrated by the carrier
forms III and IV of FIG. 1 (with or without the marginal drive
strips 3 and 4). This is a double carrier, in which the perf line 2
is replaced by a fold line 14. The fold line is preferably an
embossed groove to assist in folding, but may also be a line of
perforations spaced widely enough apart to assist in folding but
not so numerous to permit ease of separation of carrier III from
IV. The double carrier provides twice the number of card pockets,
and after insertion may be folded along line 14 to fit into a
standard envelope.
Individual carrier forms comprise three panels extending between
form margins 11 and 12, respectively (or drive strip perforation
lines 7 and 8, respectively) and the central perf line 2 or fold
line 14, as the case may be. These panels are designated as the A",
B", and C" panels, respectively, and each performs a separate and
distinct function as well as being adapted to be cooperatingly
interrelated in combination to provide the improved properties of
the form. Viewing form I of FIG. 1, the "A" panel is shown in this
embodiment as defined between transverse stream burst/fold line 15
and transverse form fold line 16. In this embodiment, panel "A" has
the smallest width (in the longitudinal direction) between perf
line 15 and fold line 16, and includes three specially designed and
placed V-shaped slits 19, 20 and 21, each for receiving one end of
individual credit cards.
A note about terminology: Line 15 is a line of perforations adapted
by appropriate cut and tie spacing to permit tearing or bursting of
the form, here form I, from the carrier stream, here stream L. The
carrier stream is also foldable along line 15, e.g., when the
carrier streams are fan folded singly or interleaved with stream R.
Thus, with respect to the stream, line 15 is a stream fold line
while at the same time, with respect to the carrier, is a burst
line. These are called burst/fold lines. The same is true of
perforated lines 18 and 22. In contrast, lines 16 and 17 are
embossed, scored, or lightly perforated lines (internal perfs)
along which panels of the individual forms are folded. These lines
are thus fold lines with respect to the forms, and called form fold
lines or internal perfs to distinguish them from the stream
burst/fold lines. The direction along the stream, from the bottom
of FIG. 1 to the top (or vice versa) is called the longitudinal
direction, or axial direction, or the direction of stream travel
during production. The direction of the stream burst/fold and form
fold lines (internal perfs) in FIG. 1, at 90.degree. to the
longitudinal direction, is the transverse direction. Note, however,
that in FIG. 3, the directions are reversed, that of the form fold
lines being longitudinal and the stream burst/fold lines being
transverse.
As described in more detail below, the "A" panel also has provided
thereon visually readable or machine readable information means 23,
such as indicia 24, magnetic stripe 25 (FIG. 3), punched holes 26
(FIG. 3) and the like. The spacing and placement of these
information means are important as discussed below.
The "B" panel is defined between form fold lines (internal perfs)
16 and 17. This panel is slightly wider than the length or width of
the credit card being received by the carrier depending on whether
the card is held vertically or horizontally. For example, for a
standard credit card of dimensions 3.375.times. 2.125 inches
(8.573.times. 5.398 cm) held vertically (see FIG. 2 orientation of
the card with respect to the carrier), the "B" panel width
(distance between fold lines 16 and 17) is 3.5 inches (8.89 cm).
For a standard card retained horizontally (FIG. 5), the "B" panel
width is 2.250 inches (5.715 cm), while for a retail card retained
vertically (FIG. 2), the width is 3.625 inches (9.21 cm). For the
retail card retained horizontally, the "B" panel width is 1.844
inches (4.683 cm). Generally, the "B" panel is 0.125" wider than
the relevant dimension of the card sought to be trapped. This
provides an excellent frictional wedge-trapping of the card in the
fold, yet it is not so tight that folding is difficult.
In another embodiment the panel also has tear-out wallet cards 79,
80, 81 such as shown in FIG. 7 and described in more detail below.
The "B" panel can be imprinted with information-conveying indicia,
such as the cardholder contract, lost and found information,
advertising information, use instructions and the like. The panel
width is adapted to securely wedge trap and grip the ends of the
credit cards in carrier folds defined along form fold lines
(internal perfs) 16 and 17 without binding the form stock.
Likewise, the "B" panel is not so much larger (wider) than the
cards that they become canted or loose in the folded carrier and
tear the slits permitting them to become lost or misplaced during
carrier insertion or use.
Panel "C" (FIG. 1) is defined between form fold (internal perf) 17
and the upper marginal edge of the form which is defined by stream
burst/fold line 18. This panel width is carefully designed to form
a flap over the exposed portion of the credit card projecting from
the retaining slits (see FIG. 2), while selectively revealing all
or a portion of the information means 23, such as aliphatic and/or
numeric indicia 24a and/or bar code 24b (shown by way of example as
I-bar code in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The folded-over panel thus
assists in retaining the card in the carrier during use while
permitting visual or automated checking of at least a portion of
the information 23 when the carriers are inserted, folded and
stacked ready for envelope stuffing, or for pre-stuffing pulling.
Typically, the width of the "C" panel for a standard credit card is
3 inches (7.62 cm) between form fold line 17 and stream burst/fold
line 18. The "C" panel also typically carries address indicia 27
and account information indicia 28. Optionally, the indicia is
positioned on the panel so as to be visible through the window of a
standard No. 9 or No. 10 envelope when the inserted/folded carrier
is stuffed into such an envelope.
FIG. 2 shows a single carrier I in the folded condition and having
two stardard credit cards 29, 30 inserted into pockets 19 and 20.
In the embodiment shown, each limb of the slit 19a, 19b is inclined
at an angle .alpha. defined between the slit limb and a line
parallel to the carrier end 15 and touching the V-slit tongue 46,
of between 5.degree. and 45.degree., preferably
10.degree.-20.degree.. The angle .alpha. as shown in FIG. 2 is
12.degree.. The spacing between the end of the slit 39 and the card
margin 29a may range from 0.02 to 0.1" (0.51 to 0.254 cm) and is
typically 0.062" (.157 cm) as shown in FIG. 2.
A first end 31 of the card 30 is slipped into the V-shaped slit 20
and is trapped in the fold 16 of the "A" and "B"panels. The second
end 32 of the credit card overlies the marginal portion 33 of the
"A" panel lying between the slits 19, 20, 21 and the edge 15 and is
trapped in the fold 17 of the "C" and B panels. The upper marginal
edge 18 of the "C" panel leaves the indicia 24a or 24b visible for
verification of the carrier after it is in the folded condition.
Thus, it is possible to scan an entire stack of inserted/folded
carriers to locate or verify any particular ones therein. This is
particularly useful in pulling or checking operations. Card
accounts often must be terminated for a variety of reasons (poor
credit, theft, moving, etc.) just prior to issue. For current
conventional insertion, it is not feasible to automatically locate
the bad accounts and pull them prior to mailing. In the instant
invention, it is possible using the indicia or code (see 24b in
FIG. 5) to scan (visual or automated) the completed carriers just
prior to stuffing and pull the bad accounts, or pulling after
stuffing.
The address indicia is positioned to lie adjacent to and be visible
through the window of standard No. 9 or No. 10 mailing envelope,
shown in phantom in FIG. 2 as item 54. Portions of the account
information 28 may also be positioned adjacent to the window 34, if
desired, or alternately, one or more special windows 35 may be
provided in the mailing envelope 36, shown in phantom lines in FIG.
2.
FIG. 3 illustrates a one-up stream of carrier forms oriented at
90.degree. to that of FIG. 1, i.e., with the form fold lines
(internal perfs) 16, 17 in the longitudinal direction (from left to
right in FIG. 3). The stream fold/burst lines 15, 18, 22 are
oriented transversely. This embodiment is particularly suited to
drum or roll printing as distinct from line printing which is
particularly suited to one- or two-wide form streams oriented as in
FIG. 1. Any type of printing the common and individual information
on the forms may be used, whether impact or non-impact types of
printing. The marginal strips 3, 4 may be omitted, or only one
strip employed, as required, with or without drive holes 9,9'.
FIG. 3 also shows a number of card-retaining slit and slot
variations. V-shaped slits oriented as in FIG. 1 with the V tip
adjacent the carrier margin 8 are preferred. However, a reverse
oriented V-shaped slit 37, called herein an "A" slit, may be
employed. The V slit is superior, and while we do not wish to be
bound by theory, we believe that the presence of a leading tongue
or lip 46 assists in guiding the card into the slit if the cards
are slightly misaligned during insertion. To assist in preventing
tearing, the slit area may be reinforced, or the slit ends 38, 39
may terminate in a T or a small aperture.
To effect insertion, the marginal area 33 of the "A" panel between
the slit 19 and edge 8 may be depressed relative to the medial area
41 of the A panel lying between the slit 19 and fold line 16, and
the card is then inserted. The same is true for the A-slit. Slits
42, 43 and 44 in carrier II of FIG. 3 are respectively identified
as a U-shaped, a W-shaped and an inverted U-shaped slit. Oval or
rectangular slots 45, and straight slit 40 are shown in carrier I.
FIG. 3 also shows a marginal lip 47 in panel "C" having marginal or
leading edge 48 which is shorter than the slot opening. The lip is
thus adapted to be inserted into the slot, effecting a positive
interlocking of the card into the folded carrier. This flap or lip
47 may be of any shape adapted to provide the interlock, and may be
used with any of the card slits or slots.
FIGS. 4 and 5 are plan views of folded carriers, partly in section
showing alternate slit and card arrangements. FIG. 4 shows a
carrier having 4-slits 49, 50, 51, 52 specially adapted for retail
cards 53, 54, 55, 56 held in the vertical orientation, i.e., the
long dimension of the card across the width of the "B" panel. The
retail cards have dimensions of 3.50.times. 1.844 inches
(6.35.times. 4.683 cm) and thus, for fit the carrier of this
invention as shown. Since the B panel of FIG. 4 is longer than the
B panel in a carrier for a standard credit card (FIG. 2) the A
and/or C panels may be made smaller in width (between respective
carrier fold and stream burst lines), or the overall width of the
carrier (in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 1, the transverse in
FIG. 3) may be increased. Special mailing envelopes to accommodate
the increased width may be provided.
FIG. 5 illustrates a two-slit carrier for standard credit cards.
The slits 57, 58 are dimensioned for the long axis of the standard
card 29, 30. Also slit 58 is shown as accepting a second card 59
carried piggy-back on card 30 to provide for a 3-card account. Card
29 could also be piggy-backed providing for a 4-card account. There
is enough space between slits to provide for lengthening them. With
longer slits, retail cards may be carried singly or piggy-backed in
the horizontal orientation. The "B" panel is shorter than in
carriers of FIGS. 1 and 4 to accommodate the horizontal
orientation. Narrower envelopes may be provided, or the "C" panel
enlarged to just short of the width of a standard No. 9 envelope to
project upwardly (in FIG. 5) beyond the upper edge 16 of the "A"
panel, as shown in phantom in FIG. 5 as item 60. This insures the
inserted/folded carrier is properly oriented in the envelope, so
the address indicia is presented opposite the envelope windows; no
special envelopes are required. In this alternate embodiment some
of the information means 23 may be placed on or repeated on the
projecting edge 60 of the "C" panel. For example, the code
information 24b may be placed on the marginal edge of the "C" panel
extension 60 for the location and identification purposes described
above.
FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 also illustrate another special feature of the
invention. The information means 23 may include machine readable
information 24b for use in automated printing, inserting, folding
and/or envelope stuffing machines. The information may be presented
or carried on the carriers as visually readable indicia, or for
reading by optical character recognition type devices, or as
magnetic stripes or bars which are electromagnetically and
electronically encoded and read (see mag stripe 25 in FIG. 3). The
information may also be presented as Hollerith type punches (see
punches 26 in FIG. 3), as bar codes readable by optical scanners
(item 24b in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8), as embossings readable
optically or by mechanical devices having sensing fingers, as OCR
readable font (such as IBM 1428 in ASA sizes A, B or C), as OCR
readable delta distance code (like the universal product code found
on grocery items), as codes or indicia printed in fluorescent ink
or struck from fluorescent ribbon and OCR readable under
ultra-violet illumination, as mark sense codes, as bars printed in
magnetic ink or struck from magnetic ribbon and readable by
electromagnetic readers, as visually or OCR readable color bars, as
magnetic ink or struck ribbon font readable by electromagnetic
readers (like MICR readable font on checks), and the like. By way
of example, the bar code form is shown herein, but it should be
understood that the principles of the invention apply equally to
the other forms mentioned or contemplated.
The information means 23, and more particularly machine readable
information 24b, may be placed on any panel, on a label disposed on
a panel (see label 180 in FIG. 3), or on an envelope or label on an
envelope. The information should be disposed in a position to be
scanned visually or by the mechanical reading means of inserting,
verifying, pulling and/or stuffing devices. The information 24b is
particularly suited to be disposed on a carrier panel juxtaposed
opposite a special window in the envelope, e.g, window 35 (FIG. 2),
so that it is readable therethrough. This permits verification
(sealed envelope detection) and pulling of accounts even after
stuffing in envelopes. In another embodiment, information 24b is
printed in transparent fluorescent ink over the address indicia 27
and is readable under ultra-violet illuminated through a standard
envelope window, yet the code does not obscure the address and is
not detectable by ordinary means.
The bar code specifically illustrated is I-bar code in FIGS. 1-3,
4, 5 and 8, and I-bar code in FIG. 7, as these are printable by
standard printing devices, such as line printers, drum or roll
printers, non-impact printers and the like. I-bar is preferred over
1-bar code as the top and bottom crossbars assist in producing
reject error messages (cross talk) if vertical line weave occurs.
The code 24b is different for each carrier, and contains
information which serves a plurality of functions including
identification of the particular carrier as that of a particular
account (person), instructions as to the number of cards to be
inserted, the card number to be inserted for verification
(matching) of cards being supplied, the issuer number, issue
number, run number, series number, carrier sequence number, and the
like.
In FIG. 2 the I-bar code is shown as disposed in four horizontal
rows, in FIG. 4 as two sets of two rows, and in FIG. 5 as a single
row. This code is a binary code of four bits 1, 2, 4 and 8, the
bars in each row representing one bit value. Referring to FIG. 2,
the uppermost row 61, each I represents a one, the next row below
that 62 contains the twos bars, the third row 63 contains the fours
bars, and the bottom row 64 contains the eights bars. In FIG. 4 the
rows are paired with a first pair to the left of a second pairs,
for example, the ones and twos rows 61, 62 to the right of the
fours and eights rows 63, 64. In the alternative, the ones and
fours rows may be spaced to the left with twos and eights to the
right. In short, any convenient pattern of rows may be employed so
long as the scanning device for reading the bar code is oriented
appropriately:
______________________________________ 1 4 , or 1 2 , or 1 8 , or 8
2, etc. 2 8 4 8 4 2 1 4 ______________________________________
In FIG. 5 the rows are spaced along a single line with the rows
order illustrated being 1, 2, 4, 8; of course, any convenient
sequence may be employed: 1, 8, 2, 4; 4, 1, 8, 2, etc.
Another form of single line code that may be used is double
frequency coherent phase encoding (an encoding technique developed
by Aiken in 1954). The data is comprised of data and clocking bits
together. An intermediate bit occurring between clocking bits
signifies a "one", the absence of an intermediate bit between
clocking bits signifies a "zero". Of course, other techniques of
encoding, single or multiple line, may be employed.
The areas 65, 66, 67, 68 represent initial starting portions that
scanner heads look at when the carrier is properly indexed into the
automated card insertion/carrier folding apparatus. When the
carrier and scanner heads are moved relative to each other, e.g.,
in the direction shown by arrow 69 in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the four
binary bit rows are scanned simultaneously. In the alternative, the
rows may be scanned sequentially, if desired, by applications of
the scanner head or controlling the carrier motion. For example, a
single scanner can scan the four rows on the carrier of FIG. 5 in
sequence as it moves from left to right (in FIG. 5) across the
rows.
Vertical spacing of the rows is not particularly critical. Standard
vertical spacing of line printers is either 1/8 inches or 1/6
inches. "I" symbols are preferred rather than plain vertical bars
to detect vertical crosstalk. Only the center portion of the "I"
bar is optically scanned; therefore, vertical spacing drift into
the row above or below results in a much longer dark pulse width
producing a detectable error from the optical character reader with
an alarm to notify the operator to correct the vertical alignment
of the line printer.
Similar error detection has been designed into the system for
horizontal spacing errors. For example, in the four line bar code
should one or more lines drift left or right, the phase of the four
channels would be not synchronous. In the event the horizontal
drift or error becomes so large as to approaches a full space (1/10
inch), the logic is arranged to require a binary code 11, 12 or 13
in the first digit, a binary code 14 in all blank digits, and a
binary code 15 in the last digit space. It is obvious that these
conditions would not be met, and the horizontal error would be
immediately detected. Of course, other unique logic arrangements
can be used to detect misalignment errors due to faulty printer set
up. For the 0.1" bar code spacing shown, the printer can shift
position .+-..050", i.e., a half-space, yet the code is readable.
Ability to accept carriers within such a latitude is an important
aspect of the invention. While all the embodiments of FIGS. 2, 4
and 5 are suited to computer controlled line printing, that of FIG.
5 can be printed the fastest as it is completed in one line.
The code sequences of indicia 24a are important, and the binary
I-bar code representation 24b of the indicia 24a is specially
adapted for the instant carrier invention. Code sequence 70 (see
FIG. 2) has a number of subunits, some of which are optional. Unit
71 is the zip code of the account (cardholder). Unit 72 is
conveniently the batch number of cards in that particular issue.
Unit 72 may also be or include an issue number, a batch number,
quantity number, process date (Julian day), or an issue and batch
number, or an issue, batch, card or carrier sequence number
depending on the number of digits and spaces. While shown as a
three-digit number, it may be any number of digits to include the
desired identification. Units 71 and 72 may be to the left of unit
73 as shown, or to the right of unit 78.
Unit 73 is the number of cards in the account, e.g., 1 to 3 in the
example of FIG. 2 (or 1 to 6 if piggy-backed), 1 to 8 in FIG. 4 and
1 to 12 for the double carrier III and IV of FIG. 1. An important
aspect of this invention is the binary designation of 11 for one
card, 12 for 2 cards (as shown in FIG. 2), and 13 for 3 cards in
the account. Where there are up to eight cards in a carrier (four
retail card slits carrying two cards each in piggy-back
configuration), the unit 73 may be 2 or 3 digits (spaces) wide for
the appropriate binary code. Thus, binary 13 in the first space
followed by binary 13 in the second and binary 11 in the third
indicates 7 cards total (3+3+1); 13, 12, 10 (or 14) indicates 5
cards (3+2+0), and the like. In normal binary code the values are 0
through 9, whereas in the present code the values are 1-10. In
normal binary, nothing (no mark) in a space means zero. In the
present code, zero is an error and detectable as such in the
present binary bar code. For spaces between numbers or units, a
binary 14, i.e., a 2 bar plus 4 bar plus 8 bar is used in the
instant code, and is detectable as such. There is no confusion
between a zero and a space in the code of this invention.
Unit 74 is the number of the issuer, e.g., the bank, savings and
loan, company, etc. Unit 75 is the branch number of the bank,
factory number, type of account, state code or the like, as
desired. Unit 76 is the account holder number. Unit 77 may be
unused and provides for growth in the number of accounts, or may be
used as a carrier sequence number, or the like. Unit 78 is a stop
scan command number.
There are a maximum of 19 digits, including spaces, in a credit
card account number. In the carriers of this invention we provide a
minimum of twenty-one and a maximum of twenty-eight words,
including spaces, in the field 73-78. Nineteen of these words
correlate to the credit card account number, and one word is for an
end sentinel (stop scan signal) 78. In the figures, one word
(position, space, character or binary digit) has been provided for
the number of cards 73 for our minimum of 21. When more than three
cards are inserted in the carriers, up to two additional words are
provided for the number of cards 73. Optionally, we provide one
word for start scan and one for a parity check, for a total of
twenty-five words in the field length. In the embodiments
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 7 and 8, the distance between adjacent
slit center lines is 2.8 inches (7.112 cm) for standard credit
cards (see FIG. 8). That is the scan path length since the carrier
moves relative to the OCR 95 that length each time the carrier is
indexed into insertion position. This permits expanding the field
length to twenty-eight words to satisfy other functions, e.g., for
sequence numbers, issue code numbers, batch numbers, and the like.
Non-account information, such as 71, 72 (FIG. 2) may lie to the
right or left of the field 73-78.
Note also that the binary 14 is a space in the I-bar code 24b,
while the stop scan is a binary 15. Thus, the binary
representations of numbers 1-9 are conventional, zero is binary 10,
and 11-15 have special meaning as described above. Thus, if an
11-15 appears in a number space due to printer misalignment of the
bars, it is detected as an error signal. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the zip code and issue or batch numbers may be omitted where
desired from the indicia line 24a. The brackets 73-78 above the
indicia 24a correlate to the brackets 73-78 below the I-bar code
24b, and the I-bar code can be visually read if desired.
FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a carrier form in which the "B"
panel contains a plurality of tear-out wallet cards 78, 80 and 81
which are defined between fold lines 16 and 17, the marginal edge
2, and tearable perforation lines 82, 83 and 84 spaced inwardly
from the margin. While three cards are shown, to correlate with the
number of cards issued to that account 73, there may be any desired
number of cards of smaller or larger size, space permitting. For
example, four cards slightly smaller in width may be spaced between
margins 2 and 11, or the space above card 78 in the "C" panel may
be used to provide additional cards.
FIG. 7 also identifies line-by-line the printer layout for a debit
or account-type card. The lines are numbered L1 through L26 along
the left side in the figure for convenience in this description,
but ordinarily would be omitted in carriers used in practice. The
information on a line-by-line basis is:
Line 1: Name of card issuing bank;
Line 2: Phone number of that bank to call if cardholder has a
question about his or her card;
Line 3: Person to ask for when calling;
Line 4: Credit card account number, number of cards and credit
limit;
Line 5: Savings account number;
Line 6: Checking account number, machine cash withdrawal limit;
Line 7: Primary account holder name;
Line 8: Address line one;
Line 9: Address line two;
Line 10: City, State, Zip code;
Line 11: First name and middle initial on cardholders 1, 2 and
3;
Line 12: Credit card account number (account No. 1);
Line 13: Savings account number (account No. 2);
Line 14: Checking account number (account No. 3);
Line 15: Withdrawal; the types of accounts from which that
cardholder may withdraw;
Line 16: Deposits; the types of accounts into which that cardholder
may make deposits;
Line 17: Transfers from (out); the types of accounts between which
that cardholder may transfer funds;
Line 18: Transfers to (in); the types of accounts between which
that cardholder may transfer funds;
Line 19: Credit limit;
Line 20: Authorized cash removal (by machine) in the designated
time period;
Line 21: Number to call if cardholder has any questions;
Line 22: Zip code, batch number, sequence number, card quantity and
credit card account number followed by stop can code;
Line 23, 24, 25, 26 : All "I" code binary representation of card
quantity, and embossed account number.
EXAMPLE
FIG. 8 illustrates a carrier of the type shown in FIG. 1 in the
face-up orientation. The dimensions of the carrier are marked in
the figure. Also, numbering vertically down the form from the top,
the line-by-line positions of the indicia discussed above are
identified with the prefix "L", as "L15" to identify the city,
state and zip code. These positions are the positions for an IBM
Model 1401 line printer of 132 position capacity, but any available
capacity machine may be employed, e.g., 120-164 position printers.
The character positions across the carrier form (from left to right
in FIG. 8) are also identified with the prefix "P", as P53 to
identify the end signature (stop scan) binary code. The L or R
following a P number refers to the left or right carrier
orientation in a two-wide carrier stream. The carrier shown is the
left carrier, or carrier I in the L stream of FIG. 1. Thus, the end
signature on this carrier is position P53L. The identical end
signature for carrier II in FIG. 1 would be P137R. 18L, 102R and
51L, 135R are the start and the end, respectively, of the address
space for the Left and Right streams.
This carrier may be used for hand or automated stuffing of standard
sized credit or debit cards. In automated stuffing, the VIS machine
using the carrier of FIG. 8 is capable of inserting 1200
carriers/hr with three cards/carrier (account). This compares to
150 carriers/hour with an average of 2.7 cards/carrier by hand
stuffing for carriers of the prior art.
FIG. 6 shows in perspective one embodiment of a verifier-inserter
system for automatic folding and inserting of credit cards in the
carriers of the present invention. The two-wide carrier form set 1
of FIG. 1 is split or boned along perf 2 to provide an L stream and
an R stream which are fan folded into two stacks 85 and 86,
respectively. The stacks are shown separately in FIG. 6 but they
may be interleaved as shown by arrow 87. The streams are fed into
the VIS unit 88 upside down with the L carrier stream under the R
stream. The L stream is advanced into the VIS unit by pin or
friction drive 89 engaging the carrier stream web or holes 9 in the
marginal drive strips 3,4. The marginal drive strip 3 is peeled off
the carrier form prior to the first folding step and is withdrawn
at slot 90. Similarly, the R carrier stream is advanced by drive
strip 4 co-acting with a corresponding pin drive (not shown) and
that strip is peeled off the carriers.
It is preferred to slit or bone off the drive strips with a
decollator prior to the carrier streams entering the VIS unit.
Boning is breaking the ties (pieces of paper between cuts; a cut
plus tie is a perf), and this may be accomplished in a conventional
decollator, for example, a Moore Business Forms, Inc. Model 284B
decollator. Boning is preferred to slitting as the operator may
misalign the central and marginal slitters to produce the
wrong-sized forms. Where the strips are boned or slit prior to
feeding into the VIS, advancement of the carrier forms through the
VIS are by friction drive rather than by pin drive.
The carriers enter the unit "C" panel first. The carrier form is
then separated (burst) from the subsequent carrier along stream
fold/burst lines 15 or 18 (as the case may be), e.g., by drawing
the carrier under tension across a relatively sharp edge or wire
(burst bar). The "A" panel of the separated carrier 91 is
simultaneously or sequentially folded back toward the "B" panel as
shown by arrow 92 and retained at an acute included angle as shown
at 93 in FIG. 6. The carrier is then advanced or indexed sideways,
as shown by arrow 94 so that read head 95 scans the information
means 24b. In this embodiment, the read head is an optical
character reader scanning I-bar code. The head may be any other
type above described to scan the appropriate mode of information
from the carrier, i.e., mag stripe, mag code, delta distance code,
punch holes, embossed characters or the like. The scanned
information is transmitted by line 96 to a logic and command module
97 (LCM). The LCM stores the information about the carrier
including account identification number and number of cards to be
inserted in that carrier.
A stack of credit cards 98 is placed in a receiving tray of the VIS
unit. The cards are advanced by pusher 99 to a picker 100 as shown
by arrow 101. The cards are removed from the stack one by one and
advanced through an embossed character reader (ECR) 102 as shown by
arrow 103. The ECR reads the account number embossed on the card
and the information is transferred to the LCM 97 via line 104. It
should be understood that the card reader may be any type of reader
and is not limited to an embossed character reader. For example,
the reader may contain heads for reading magnetic stripes, indicia
or bars on or embedded in cards, or an optical reader for reading
characters, indicia, fonts, color bars and the like printed on or
embossed in the cards.
The LCM compares the information from the carrier and the card,
e.g., bar code to embossed, or embossed to magnetic, magnetic to
magnetic, punch to embossed, punched or embossed to magnetic, and
the like, or vice versa. If there is a match, the card is placed
into an insertion mechanism 105 by a laydown mechanism 106 and
inserted into the first slot 19 of the carrier. If the card does
not match the carrier, the card is ejected to reject tray 107, or
the carrier is advanced to reject tray 108. the LCM then initiates
a search mode in which cards 98 are advanced through the read
station 102 until the correct card for the carrier is found.
Alternately, the VIS can search through the carrier by advancing
them through the read station 95 until the matching carrier is
found. It is preferred to search the cards since the rejects may be
replaced, in sequence, from reject tray 107 to the card feed tray
101 more simply than refeeding carriers after finding the correct
card. Further, if one or more cards have been inserted in the
carrier and an additional one or more is required, it is better to
find the card than advance the carrier.
Where there is verification, i.e., a match between card and
carrier, the card is laid down and inserted. Where the information
from the carrier indicates a second card is required, the carrier
is advanced to align a second pocket with the insert mechanism. The
cards and carriers are advanced simultaneously so that the card
will be in place for insertion in the pocket upon indexing
(advancing) of the carrier pocket into position. When the correct
number of cards are inserted in the carrier, two are shown in FIG.
6 in pockets 19 and 20 at position 109, the carrier is advanced
again out of the insert mechanism and the "C" panel folded over the
exposed cards in the "A" panel as shown by arrow 110. The
completed, inserted and folded carrier is then stacked as at 111,
or forwarded directly to a mailing envelope stuffing operation or
to be scanned prior to stuffing in a pre-mailing pulling and
checking operation.
The command outputs from the LCM 97 are shown in FIG. 6 in
schematic as carried by line 111 to activate the VIS motor 112
which transfers power to the various subunits described above by
jack shaft 113. Power is selectively transferred to the individual
subunits by selective activation of clutch means on the jack shaft
on command from the LCM via lines 114 through 119; to the power
clutch (line 114); motor start (line 115); picker and card laydown
mechanism 116. Likewise, power is activated off the jack shaft via
line 117 for indexing the carrier, via lines 118 and 119 advancing
the carrier streams into the VIS unit, and for the final fold all
by clutches on command from the LCM.
FIG. 9 shows in schematic the overall process steps for producing,
inserting and folding the carriers of this invention. A webroll 120
of suitable sheet material 121 is printed on a web press 122 with a
desired design and instructional and/or contract indicia. FIG. 9
then shows three alternate modes of perfing, punching and slitting
or boning, as identified by following webs 121a, 121b or 121c.
Following first web 121a, roller punch 123 punches out the sprocket
drive holes 9 or 9' (see FIGS. 1 and 3) in the carriers or marginal
drive strips. The web is then transversely perforated (lines 15,
16, 17, 18 in FIG. 1) by transverse perf rollers 124. The printed
web is then perforated axially (longitudinally) by perf rollers 125
in one to three parallel lines, perfs 2, 7 and 8. Simultaneously,
or before or after the horizontal perfing, the slits or slots are
cut into the web by roller-mounted cutters 126.
Web 121b shows these operations 123-126 sequentially with one
under-web pressure roller 170, and web 121c shows these operations
123-126 in a 2-roll press. The operations 123-126 may occur in any
desired sequence.
After these operations the web 127, containing completed blank
carriers, goes to one or more of four optional operations. The web
may be rolled up at 128 as a roll of completed carriers for
transport and/or future use. The web may be fed to a rotary chopper
129 and stored as a stack of completed carriers in individual
sheets 130. This is particularly useful in the case of carriers for
hand insertion, such as carriers I and II of FIG. 1 not having
drive margins. The carriers may be separated down the central
longitudinal line 2 (FIG. 1) before chopping and stacking. In the
third alternative the carrier form sets may be folded along fold
lines 15, 18, 22 (FIG. 1) to form a fan-folded stack 131. Another
alternative involves splitting (separating) or boning the web
longitudinally by a roller-type slitter and fan folding the
resultant L and R streams (shown in FIG. 9) together so they are
interleaved as a single interleaved stack 132.
Any of these forms of the carrier sets are then forwarded to the
second stage of operations, that of printing or encoding individual
account information in individual carriers, inserting cards and
folding them. The continuous web of carriers 127a coming directly
from the carrier preparation operation, or the various alternate
forms of carriers 127b, is fed to a printer (imaging device) or
encoder unit 134 which is controlled by a process control and
customizing computer (or computer-generated tape) 135 which
contains data on the invididual accounts. In the example shown,
printer 134 is a line printer that prints information on the
carrier of the type shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8, including the
I-bar code. The printed two-wide carrier stream 136 is then slit or
boned, and the marginal drive strips 141 and 142 removed, e.g., in
a decollator operation 137, forming two streams, and L stream 138
and an R stream 139 and fed into the VIS unit, singly or
interleaved, as shown by the arrows. Alternatively a one-wide
stream 140 can be fed directly into the VIS from the printer
134.
In the VIS the stripped form sheets, streams or webs 138, 139, 140
are passed over a burst bar 143 and separated into individual
carriers 144a, 144b along lines 22, 15 and 18 (FIG. 1). The "A"
panel of the carrier is then folded over as shown by arrow 145 and
the carrier advanced (arrow 146) past read station 95 into the
first insertion position. The read head 95 optically or
electromagnetically reads the I-bar code, and information is
transferred to LCM 97 as earlier described.
Plastic credit card core stock 147 (shown as 147a in roll form,
147b in sheet form) is printed on the front side 148a or b, and on
the backside 149a or b, in one or more colors. The printed stock is
then laminated on one or both sides with transparent plastic sheets
150a and/or 150b in roll press 151a or sheet press 151b. Individual
cards are produced from the core stock 152a or laminated sheet 152b
by reciprocating punch 153 to produce virgin credit cards 154. The
virgin cards are embossed or encoded (mag stripe) with individual
account information in embossing or mag stripe encoding unit 155
(e.g., a Data Card embossing or map strip encoding unit), which is
fed the appropriate information on the same or different computer
135 or LCM 97. 155a represents embossing, 155b represents encoding
a mag stripe, and 155c represents other impressing or encoding
information by other means. For example, when the carriers are read
by scanner means 95 and information transferred to LCM 97, the LCM
can command the embossing or encoding unit 155 to emboss or encode
virgin plastics with the correct information so that the cards and
carriers are in proper sequence. The cards are then passed directly
to the insertion means 105. Conversely, the embossing/ encoder can
control the VIS insertion operations by location of the computer
(or tape) 135/LCM 97 in the embosser/encoder 155.
The embossed cards 98 are forwarded to the VIS unit where the
embossed or encoded information is read by reader 102 (102a
embossing, 102b mag strip reader, 102c "other" reader), which
forwards individual card information to the LCM 97 which may be
part of computer 135. In the LCM 97, the information from the
carrier via reader 95 is compared with information from the cards
via reader 102. If there is a match (verification) the LCM commands
the VIS unit to insert a card in the waiting, partly folded carrier
156, the output command function being shown schematically via line
157. The direction of card insertion is shown by arrow 162 in FIGS.
2, 4, 5 and 9.
Where, for example, the account information indicates only one or
two cards are appropriate for the carrier, the carrier will be
cycled sequentially through two or one insertion positions,
respectively, without cards being inserted. This is accomplished by
a command function which causes the card picker to retract or stop,
while the carrier continues to be advanced. The retracted picker
may cycle without picking and advancing cards through the card read
station, laydown door and insertion tray. In addition, where there
is a carrier/card mismatch, the logic/command module operates to
cycle through a plurality of cards while the carrier remains
stationary. Rejected cards are retained in a reject tray and may be
recycled to the load tract. This search mode may be repeated as
desired by an operator.
The carrier with its individual complement of cards 109 is then
advanced through a fold station 164 where the "C" panel is folded
along fold line 17 completing the folding of the carriers 158. The
folded carriers 158 exit the apparatus folded and in account
sequence. The completed carriers are oriented in a manner that
account information is presented in a suitable position, e.g.,
along the upper edge (see FIG. 2), so that it may be selectively
read or sensed for further processing or checking, e.g., pulling or
checking.
In the verification operation, verifier unit 181 checks the number
of cards inserted in a folded carrier. This is done by serially
passing completed, inserted and folded carriers 158 horizontally
(e.g., direction of arrow 69 in FIG. 2) between the nip of a pair
of rollers, one fixed and the other movable, and determining the
thickness of the carriers 158 at the position of each pocket by
sensing the relative deflection of the movable roller. This sensed
verification information is forwarded via line 193 to computer/LCM
135/97 and compared to the proper number of cards that should be in
the carrier as sensed by read head 95 (or as instructed by computer
or tape data in 135/97). Where there is a mismatch, the
computer/LCM 135/97 commands the verifier to reject the carrier at
182. The verified carriers may pass directly to an envelope stuffer
161 via lines 183, 184 or pass to a pulling unit 185 via line
186.
In the pulling operation 185 the inserted carriers 158 are scanned
or read by a read head 159 which transmits information to LCM 97
and/or computer 135 which compares the data with an updated
approved list. If there is need for a last-minute pull, the
computer, tape or LCM activates a reject unit 160. It is preferred
to pass the carriers 158 through the pulling unit serially, as
described above for the verifier unit, with read head 159 scanning
the information (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 180 FIGS. 1-8) on the
carrier as the completed carriers pass the head, and pulled
carriers being rejected as bad accounts are identified. In the
alternative, as shown in FIG. 9, the carriers may be scanned in a
stack 187, with pulled carriers being rejected at 188. The updated
batch of completed carriers are then forwarded to mailing envelope
stuffer 161.
The completed carriers, alone or with other mailer information, are
then inserted or stuffed into envelopes by hand or in an automatic
main inserting unit 161 (such as a Pitney Bowes 3144 "Insertamax"
high-speed automatic mail insertion unit, or a Bell &
Howell/Phillipsburg automatic envelope inserter).
The completed, stuffed envelopes 163 are mailed or delivered to
customers (account holders) directly, completing the process, or
may be processed in a sealed envelope detector (SED) 189 having a
scanner unit like units 95 or 159 (not shown in detail). The
information 23, 24a or 24b is positioned to be read through the
envelope, e.g., windows 34 or 35 on the front or back of the
envelope (see FIG. 2 and accompanying description above), or from
the envelope itself, e.g., label 180 applied directly to the front
or back of the envelope. The scanned information, e.g., in the form
of optical, electronic or electrically detectable pulses, is passed
to the computer/LCM 135/97 via line 190 where it is compared to the
updated approved list. If the particular account is bad, the
computer LCM 135/97 commands the detector to pull the envelope
shown at 191. The sealed envelope detector (SED) also senses the
number of cards in the carrier and rejects incorrect ones at 192 in
the manner above described for the verifier unit 181. The SED may
have its own scanner, or may use information from scanner 95 or 159
without need to scan the envelopes or windows. This is preferred
where the SED is integrated with the VIS unit of FIG. 6.
Within the spirit of the invention we may position information 23
and/or bar code 24b or the like, on the B panel (see information
23, 24a, 24b on carrier II in FIG. 3) so that when the completed
carrier is stuffed into an unsealed envelope, the bar code is
revealed in the triangular area between the upper edge of the
envelope flap and the back panels of the envelope. The bar code is
thus presented for automated or manual (visual) "reading" for
verification and pulling just prior to sealing. In an alternate
embodiment, the back of the envelope may have a special window
juxtaposed opposite information (23, 24a, 24b) for verification
and/or pulling after sealing by reading through the window. In
still another embodiment, a line printer may be used to print the
information 23, 24a, 24b on labels which may be applied to blank
carriers, mailers or envelopes. The labels may then be applied to
the carriers or mailers by the VIS unit, and to the envelopes by
the verification, pulling, envelope stuffing, or SED units in
accord with information in computer/LCM 135/97 sensed from credit
cards as they are inserted in the carriers.
Likewise, the principles of automated scanning, insertion,
verification, pulling, stuffing and sealed envelope verification
and pulling disclosed herein may be applied to other types of
carriers, including prior art carriers and future carriers. Thus,
information 23 and/or information 24a (e.g., bar code) may be
applied to single panel carriers, pocket carriers, mailing inserts,
envelopes, and to labels applied to carriers, envelopes and mailers
and the like, for automated inserting, verification, pulling and
sealed envelope detection at various stages of operation as
disclosed herein.
The slits of the invention may also be straight slits, parallel to
an edge (e.g., a straight slit 40 in carrier I of FIG. 3), or a
single straight slit may be inclined at an acute angle (with
respect to an edge), e.g., in FIG. 2, extending limb 19a of slit 19
to the right for the full slit width. In another embodiment, slits
or slots may be omitted, with the cards being wedge-trapped between
the panels. The first end of the card (31 in FIG. 2) is trapped
between the A and B panel, while the other end (32 in FIG. 2) is
trapped between the card B panels.
The carriers of the instant invention can form their own envelope.
For example, FIG. 2 shows the three panels stapled together by
staple 178 at the left edge. The right edge is similarly staples
(not shown), and an optional glue spot or stripe 179 along the
inner (back side) edge 18 of the C panel completes the seal of the
C panel to the A panel. The mailing address 27 may remain on the C
panel or be placed on the B panel. FIG. 6 shows glue sripes 175,
176, 177 adjacent the side edges 12 and 2 respectively, and on the
C panel of carrier IV adjacent fold/burst line 15. This glue is on
the backside of the carriers. When folded, the carrier is sealed by
the adhesive forming a completed envelope.
Various inclusive definitions used herein apply to terms in the
claims as well. For example, reference to "credit cards" should be
understood to include any type of card whether a credit, debit,
account, access, identification, key, pass card or the like.
"Carriers" or "credit card carriers" includes carriers of any kind
and includes mailers and/or envelopes therefor where applicable.
"Information" includes information relating to the cardholder
and/or account as applicable and includes any form of
representation. "Indicia" or "number" includes markings of all
sorts, numbers, letters, designs, fonts, codes and the like.
"Pulses" includes any form of information bit transfers whether
mechanical, electrical or in the electromagnetic wave spectrum, for
example, electrical signals, visible, UV or IR light waves,
microwave, magnetic bubbles and the like. "Readable" or "scannable"
includes any manual (visual) or mechanical manner of ascertaining
information from the carriers or labels, and by "mechanical" is
meant to be included in whole or in part any optical,
electro-optical, magnetic, electronic, electromechanical, electric,
and purely mechanical methods and apparatus. Reference to
"cardholder account number" or "account number" includes any unique
identifying or code number relating to an individual cardholder and
is not restricted to a financialtype account. It may include a
number assigned to an employee permitting access to certain
buildings, rooms, files and the like. "Web" includes an extent of
sheet material whether in single sheet form or continuous form.
It should be understood that various modifications within the scope
of this invention can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art
without departing from the spirit thereof. We therefore wish our
invention to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as
broadly as the prior art will permit, and in view of this
specification if need be.
* * * * *